If you were in the first service Sunday you did not get this part of the sermon, so I wanted to address these three verses for your sake. Paul viewed brothers and sisters in Christ together as one big family who took care of each other no matter what the zip code was or even where they came from. The objective was not to make the Christians in Jerusalem rich and the Christians in Corinth poor. The church in Corinth was doing better financially. In fact, the Gentile churches were better off financially at this time than the Christian Jews in Jerusalem. Remember the church in Jerusalem were without many basic needs due to their conversion qnd public profession of their faith through baptism.

Paul truly wanted the Corinthians to embrace what He says to the church at Ephesus about being a body together that is one body, of one Spirit, with one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4.4-6). What an awesome picture of the gospel truly breaking down the barrier of the dividing wall of ethnicity. Due to the gospel those in Christ have no opportunity for favoritism, prejudice or racism because the two have been brought into one new man, establishing peace (Ephesians 2.15).

Paul desired more equality when it came to financial needs being met than what was currently present. Paul also wants the church at Corinth to know that there might be a time in the future that the Corinthians themselves will need help, but right now it is their turn to help out. This is how God desires to provide for the needs of His church, through others generously giving of what they have. This is why Paul quotes Exodus 16.18 in 2 Corinthians 8.15. He speaks about the Israelites, as God provided manna for them, some more and some less, but everyone gathered as much as he should eat. This is still God’s desire today and God wants to use His church to be the conduit to meet the needs of those lacking and in need of help.

This is what we see in the first century church as Luke writes, For there was not a needy person among
them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the salves and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need (Acts 4.34-35). So, let’s never lose sight of hurting members who need to be cared for and helped with basic needs. Let’s make sure we are not overlooking anyone who might be in real need.

I was sitting and watching Nightline Wednesday night with Annette and the top story was the news of the reversal of President Obama on same-sex marriages. There is a lot to say about that, but I think the thing that stuck out the most for me was some of the reasoning behind his change of thinking. In the interview he shared about his Christian beliefs and then referred to his decision based on the Golden Rule, which is quoted above. We must be careful to not believe every spirit and test the spirits as 1 John 4.1 tells us.

So, think about this verse. What does it truly mean?

First, I believe we must look at the context. In the NASB version it inserts a therefore, which helps in this contextual work. Therefore causes us to look back and to see what is before. It seems that it covers more than just what has been said in chapter 7 thus far, even though it includes it. It actually seems to apply to all that Jesus has said in this heartfelt communication with the crowd in Matthew 5-7 (The Sermon on the Mount), but it definitely applies to 5.17-7.11. It seems to form an envelope with 5.17-20, saying, in light of what I have shared with you - about what the true direction in which the OT law (Law and the Prophets) points and the righteousness it calls for – obey and follow the Golden Rule for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Why is this significant? First, because it takes us back to what the OT was anticipating and pointing to all along – Jesus and His Kingdom. Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament (5.17). So, the therefore gives a foundation to the Golden Rule by taking us back and that foundation is Christ. It is not just some good philosophy or good idea. This rule is embedded in the heart of God. It is not merely out of civil goodness, something you do to earn a place in paradise or something you do in your own strength. That is what many in the world and those of other religions believe when it comes to the Golden Rule. We, though, must look to Jesus who does not only fulfill this rule and commands us to do it, but He also makes it possible for us to embrace it and truly internalize it.

Christ calls His followers to action in treating people the same way that they want others to treat them. He calls us to minister to people. It is not just about listening to sermons, attending programs or studies, and being a part of some successful organization. It is about people, who are in different stages of dealing with the disease of sin. It is not about people who have it all together, no it is people who have lost their way and don’t even know it and who have not made a connection between their daily problems and the transforming grace of Christ. It is married couples struggling to love each other, parents struggling to be patient with children, those attracted to temptation, and on and on and on. Christ’s church is to be the incarnation of Christ’s love to people who are hurting.

How do you want people to treat you? The implication in this verse is biblically. That is the emphasis here on how one is to treat another and how they would want to be treated – biblically – that is a goal of Jesus’ words here in His communication to the crowd. They are to live biblically and treat each others biblically. This is important to understanding the Golden Rule. So, real love is put in action when you treat others biblically.

How is this love defined and put into action? In the Law we find some help to the answer (Leviticus 19.15-18). Here are three things to point out from Leviticus 19:

First, we are to judge our neighbor fairly. We are not to have a judgmental attitude toward others. Some kinds of judging are legitimate and in fact mandated, especially for the church, but how we do this is so important. We must deal with our own heart or as Jesus says, the log in our eye, and as the apostle Paul says, judge ourselves rightly (1 Corinthians 11.31). Also, we are told by Paul that those who are spiritual, meaning those who are filled with the Spirit of God and are walking in the Spirit, are to restore another in sin, dealing with the speck in their eye, and this is to be done with a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6.1).

Next, we are not to hate our brother in your heart. Remember Jesus says if this is the case then it is as though you have committed murder (Matthew 5.22). We must not have passive hate or active hate toward others. Sometimes our passive hate is favoritism, granting it to some, but not to others, due to others financial situation, their race or ethnicity, doctrinal differences, the way one looks, over particular sins in their past or something else. We must remember we are all natural enemies and Jesus says, love your enemies (Matthew 5.44). We also bear grudges as a form of passive hate. Bearing a grudge is when we keep account of wrongs that someone has done and our anger over that grows. Then that sin becomes the interpretive grid through which we assess everything that person does. They can’t do anything right. Everything is distorted by bitterness.

We also must not actively hate others by forms such as gossip and retaliation. Gossip destroys people. It doesn’t put a restrain on sin, but instead encourages it. Don’t gossip about someone else, instead stop and pray for them, talking to God and not others. We should never seek to settle the score either. This is not our place. This is the opposite of ministry. You and are to extend God’s mercy and patience to others even as God has extended it to us. The model is how God has loved us as the apostle Paul says, But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5.8).

Finally, we are to rebuke our neighbor frankly so that we will not share in his guilt. Loving our neighbor includes rebuking them when they are living in sin. This definitely translates in the New Testament to judging the church helping each other live in righteousness, but we must be careful to love those outside the church with the kindness of Christ (1 Corinthians 5.11-13). Rebuking another without unrighteous anger is a sign of biblical love. We are afraid to do this because we have replaced true biblical love with being simply nice – they are not the same thing. It does not mean that we are to be rude, but biblical love is not about being tolerant. If we fail to speak up and confront someone, we are not truly loving that person, but instead we lack love for them.

Paul Tripp says, The truth is that we fail to confront, not because we love others too much, but because we love ourselves too much (Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands p. 202). We simply are afraid of what others might think of us. Instead of loving someone and treating them biblically, by sharing truth with them or being honest with them, we protect ourselves and love ourselves more than we do our neighbor. We must love others by speaking the truth to them in love (Ephesians 4.15). It is not just one mere moment, but this is involved ongoing in our relationships. God uses us as instruments of growth in the lives of others, so that sin’s progress is stopped and spiritual growth encouraged. I love what Paul Tripp says about rebuking in this passage in Leviticus. He says, Rebuke does not mean that our love is conditional. However, the self-sacrificing love of this passage exists at the intersection of patient grace and intolerance for sin (Paul Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands p. 203). We show the same grace that we have been showed by God, but just as God does not close His eyes to wrongdoing, we must not either. We must not stay silent on wrongdoing, and love them with words of truth.

So, let’s embrace the truth of the Golden Rule and experience real love.

The desire of my wife and I is that wisdom would fill our home just as Solomon speaks of. Though we desire it to be a thread through the fabric of everything we do there is one place in particular that is sacred unto this working. It is the dinner table. Dinner time at the table is very important to us.

It is here that we talk about the day. In fact, the kiddos get their turns at telling us how their days went, what the best part of their day was and sometimes the not-so-good parts of their day. Around the table is where Annette and I are teaching as well. This is usually related to something that happened during the day. Sometimes the teaching is in the form of a correction. Other times Scripture is talked about.
This is sometimes planned, but other times unplanned.

In fact, this week we had one of those nights when around the table an unplanned conversation about the Bible and Jesus came up. It was one of those wisdom, understanding and knowledge times filling our house. One of our children said something about the Old Testament and then another said, Did the stuff in the Old Testament really happen? Or is it just a story? Then the question was asked, Did the stuff in the Old Testament happen in heaven or on earth? I love these questions. Annette and I were able to share with our children that the events in the Old Testament were real occurrences that happened here on earth. It was a great opportunity to share with them that the Bible is also history that covers the events that has happened in the ten thousand years since God created the heavens and the earth.

Then immediately following that one of our children asked, Is Jesus coming back? We responded with, Yes! Then it was asked, When is He coming and how is He coming? We were able to tell our children that Jesus says, Yes, I am coming soon (Revelation 22.20). Then we took the Bible and turned to 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18. I love this text and encourage you to read it. It was a great conversation about those Christians who die before Christ comes and what happens when Christ does return. We were also able to share with them that Christ will come again similar to the way He ascended (Acts 1.11). I love the unexpected and unplanned conversations about the Lord and His Word.

This is what the dinner table offers. It is an opportunity to share life with your family and most importantly allow for opportunities to talk about godly wisdom. It is worth making this an important part of your daily routine. You are doing more than feeding stomachs, but giving an opportunity for wisdom to be given to souls. My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 24.13-14).

The second section of Psalm 119 continues the Psalmist’s celebration of God’s word. The Psalmist asks the question to begin the section, How can a young man keep his way pure (119.9)? A pure life comes from the overflow of a pure heart. The Psalmist expresses his pursuit of God with His heart (119.10a) and says, I have stored up your word in my heart (Psalm 119.11a). One’s heart must be pure for one’s life to be lived in purity. According to the Psalmist one develops and continues to have a pure heart through the internalizing of God’s word.

Jesus prayed to the Father on behalf of His disciples and the church saying, They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world (John 17.16-18). Though, as followers of Christ, we are not of the world because we are now children of God we do still live with the temptations of the world and the weakness of the flesh (1 John 2.16). But, as children of God, we can live a set apart life from the ways of the world by the truth of God being internalized in us. Not only are we set apart from the sinful ways of the world, but we are also set apart to live according to the mission God has given us. The internalized word of God allows both, a holy life and holy mission to be lived out.

Back to Psalm 119. In this section, the Psalmist wants God to be His instructor. We should want to be taught from God each day when we arise. We should be students of God each day as we read, hear, study, memorize and meditate (Psalm 119.15) on the Scriptures. We should never stop reading or studying the Bible. The others are important too, but I can’t encourage you enough to at least be doing these two disciplines daily. Start here and then move to the other
disciplines once these become a daily discipline. Hearing the word of God on Sunday alone is not enough to truly internalize the word in our heart. So, sit under the teaching of God each day.

When the word of God becomes internalized in our hearts the law of God will be on our lips, we will delight in the word as the greatest of all riches, we will meditate on the word, fix our eyes on God’s ways frequently and not forget the word of God (119.13-16). The word of God may not be a delight to you like it was the Psalmist. Ask God to make the Scriptures a great delight to you, so that you want to have them as a part of your daily life more than any other riches. If you are struggling with picking up the word and reading it each day start by reading a chapter of John each day or you could read a section of Psalm 119 (there are 22 sections in Psalm 119) each day and pray along with your reading for God to give you a love for the Scriptures just as the Psalmist had.

On Palm Sunday, we looked at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Part of the crowd’s shouts included this phrase, Hosanna to the Son of David (Matthew 21.9). The crowd called Jesus the Son of David and wanted Him to deliver them from the Romans. This is why they say, Hosanna, because the Jews want Jesus to be a political Messiah that saves them. Son of David is a title to speak of Jesus in the kingdom lineage of David. The following is the Davidic Covenant that God makes with David saying, I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant, I will establish your seed forever and build up your throne to all generations (Psalm 89.3-4). Then in Psalm 89.27-29 the Lord turns to speak of a greater King to come looking forward to Jesus. It says, I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall be confirmed to him. So I will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven.

This greater King of an everlasting Kingdom is Jesus. He is an eternal King of an eternal Kingdom. He has not come to overcome merely some nation, but to overcome the problem of man’s heart. He has come to deal with the spiritual and reign as king in the hearts of mankind. This is why Jesus says what He does to Pilate in John 18.36 saying, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm. Jesus was more than just King of the Jews. He is King of the world.

In Psalm 89.3, God says, I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. Often the term firstborn is misunderstood by people and especially by the Jehovah Witnesses. This term means first in order of time or it speaks of one who is pre-eminent in rank. Paul refers to Jesus in Colossians 1.15, 18 as the firstborn in relation to two things:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (1.15). This means Christ was before all of creation in time, and He is over all creation in authority. This does not mean that Christ was the first created being, which ancient Arians believed and modern Jehovah’s Witnesses teach. But Paul is using this term to emphasize the Sovereignty of God over all creation. He is King of the Universe.

He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (1.18). This is pointing to the resurrection, as Jesus became the first-born from the dead in time. Christ was the first Person to rise from the dead with a glorified body never to die again. He broke death’s hold on humanity.

Christ has supremacy in creation and salvation. He is not just King of the Jews and didn’t come to save the Jews from the Romans, but He is King of all of Creation and the only one who can provide salvation for our souls.

What does Maundy mean? Great question! Maundy Thursday, gets its name from the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment, remembering Jesus’ words to the disciples during the Last Supper, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). The last supper and the dealings of Christ surrounding this meal and especially following, displays the complete love of Jesus. This night is centered around the table where that love was expressed. This will be a special night as we observe communion. Our worship gathering will be 45 minutes and is for the whole family.

I read this about the thought of communion this week and thought I would share it with you. Jonathan Parnell writes in the Desiring God blog saying,

Communion is one of the few words in the English language that has a general meaning but maintains a sanctified use. "To speak a little of it in general," John Owen writes, "Communion relates to things and persons. A joint participation in anything whatever, good or evil, duty or enjoyment, nature or actions. . . .(Works.II.7). In other words, communion most basically is what's happening when we cheer on our favorite team with a group of friends. But that's not the way we really use the word. We call those parties. And notwithstanding the joy aspect of parties, communion is about God — the one, true, personal God in three persons, Father, Son, and Spirit.

Communion is God's communication to us coupled with our response to him — all in such a way that he's glorified and we're glad. Communion hopefully does happen when we do the Lord's Supper, but it's not limited to that event.

In fact, I would add communion is about life. It is about everyday living in the presence of God through Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit who lives inside us. Come celebrate that tonight with your whole family.

The Lord’s Supper is a special meal for believers and tonight we will invite heads of families to come and serve their family. Know if you have children that have not received Jesus as their Lord and Savior yet that it is a great teaching tool to not serve them the meal. They will get to partake when they trust in Christ. It is something they get to look forward to. On the other hand, if you have one like my son, Pierce who grabs it and eats it like he has before do not get frustrated or scold your child. Jesus wouldn’t want us to respond like that. Just take some time and teach your child that we need to wait until we know Jesus as our Savior. For singles and others coming without family join with friends or maybe members in your LIFEgroup and share this meal together tonight. I love these times where we eat the meal together.

The law was that every adult male Jew who lived within 15 miles of Jerusalem must come to the Passover; not only the Jews of Palestine, but Jews from every corner of the world made their way to the greatest of their national festivals. So Jerusalem was a city surging with people geared up with religious expectations. This was the ordained time of God that Jesus would make His way into the city on this day with such a buzz. Jesus here initiates His own coronation. The Galilean pilgrims were accompanying Jesus and the Jerusalem crowd coming out to meet Him as He entered the city formed a procession of praise.

John Macarthur believes there were probably 100,000 people in the procession and they spread their cloaks in front of Him. Others cut down palm branches and spread them in the road.  The crowds received Jesus like a king. Messianic fervor was high as the crowds shouted, Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest (21.9)!  This word of praise comes primarily from Psalm 118.25-26, which says, O Lord, do save, we beseech You; O Lord, we beseech You, do send prosperity! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; we have blessed you from the house of the Lord. This was a familiar liturgical expression of praise for Jews in their worship.

The question as we asked Sunday, Is what does it mean that this crowd is crying out these words of praise? They hail Jesus as the conquering king and have all the right verbiage. The crowd believed Jesus was their Messiah, but they didn’t understand the nature of His Messiahship. They knew He was the king, but didn’t know the nature of His kingdom. We must observe here that the crowd is not talking about soul salvation. They are talking about military deliverance. Remember the Jews had been occupied by the Romans, as they continued to spread their rule throughout the known world. So, the crowd wanted a military leader as their messiah. They wanted someone to come in great power and overthrow Rome. One of the most interesting verses that helps us understand the heart of the crowd as Jesus entered Jerusalem is found in John 11. This is after Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead. Following this the Jewish chief priests and the Pharisees met and this is what they said:

If we let Him go on like this, all men will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation (John 11.48).

The Jews wanted deliverance from Rome, but the religious leaders seem to want to keep things status quo without any shakeups. They wanted to appease Rome and didn’t want Jesus to disrupt their religion. Jesus was a threat to the religious leaders.  They didn’t want the crowds to believe in Him. So, the crowd’s shouts upon Jesus’ entry turns from the praises of Psalm 118 to words the words Crucify Him on Friday. Those who will hail Him as king of the Jews with their cloaks and palm branches at His feet will call for His execution on the day of Passover.

The crowd was not interested in the spiritual kingdom Jesus came to usher in. This is what people do even today. They want a Jesus  of their own devising and invention.  They want a Jesus who will walk in and solve all their problems, take care of their enemies and give them a wonderful life. As seen in clearing of the temple, He didn’t come to take out Rome, instead Jesus came and wiped out their temple. He came to say, “You don’t need to solve your problem with Rome, but with God”. A lot of people want the Jesus that gives them health, wealth, happiness, instant healing, what they want, but as soon as Jesus confronts sin and seeks to turn one’s heart toward God in salvation they turn from Him and curse Him saying, “This is not the king we want and we do not want Him to rule over us”.

Let’s not be like the crowds who filled Jerusalem at their great national festival that year.  Instead let’s accept Jesus for who He truly is. He is the Messiah, the Son of David, the King of Kings, the Suffering Servant and truly the Savior and Lord of all. May Jesus reign in our heart this Holy Week and beyond.

Maundy Thursday, April 5 at 7 pm
What does Maundy mean? Great question! Maundy Thursday, gets its name from the Latin word mandatum,which means commandment, remembering Jesus’ words to the disciples during the Last Supper, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). The last supper and the dealings of Christ surrounding this meal and especially following, displays the complete love of Jesus. This night is centered around the table where that love was expressed. This will be a special night as we observe communion. Our worship gathering will be 45 minutes and is for the entire family.

Good Friday, April 6 at 7 pm
On this night, our worship gathering focus turns to the cross. We will have spiritual care for infants – preschool. Those children in kindergarten and up are welcome to attend the service. This is also a great opportunity to bring those friends that may not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Saturday, April 7 at 10 am – Noon
Once again this year we will hold an Easter egg hunt over at Autumn Chase Apartments. We invite
you, your family and friends to come. It will be a fun morning for all as we continue to engage with the Autumn Chase community.

Easter Sunday, April 8 at 9 am and 11 am
What a joyful morning this will be as we direct our attention to the empty tomb. We will have spiritual care for all children up through 5th grade during both services. This also is another great opportunity to bring someone who does not know Jesus or maybe has been out of fellowship. We will also observe baptisms during these two gatherings.

We invite the body to look at the worship gatherings during Holy Week as three parts to one story.
This year, our focus takes us to look at Jesus as the One who has overcome so much on our behalf, so that we may overcome to the end of this age and be with Him forever. There is so much that attempts to overcome us in this world, but through Jesus we can overcome and continue to live for the glory of God. I look forward to seeing you during this week filled with worship of our Savior and King.

Christianity is not a list-based religion promoting will power to do religious things. Christianity is not about morals, sure moral living is a by-product of faith in Jesus, but it is not the basis for it. Salvation is not earned by keeping commandments for they were already kept perfectly on our behalf by Christ. We must be careful that we don’t promote ‘a try harder’ belief for it inevitably results in pride, which is the worst sin of all. A law driven life devoid of the gospel is miserable. The law can adjust and deal with the result of our sin, but it cannot change the heart. Only the Spirit of God can deal with the cause and motive and create real, lasting change. Legalism doesn’t make people work harder, but makes them give up. The reality is it is impossible for us without Jesus to deal with our issues and sin.

Moralism doesn’t produce morality in fact the exact opposite occurs. It produces immorality and that is what we heard this past Sunday in Matthew 12.45. Jesus speaking of one who is relying on mere morality says this one who is still the possession of Satan becomes worse than the first state he was in. You can make all the resolutions you want, change your bad habits and attempt to put things in order, but if it is without Jesus it is in vain. If you are spiritually empty without Jesus then it does not matter what changes you make you still are dead in sin. Morality is deceptive creating an illusion of safety and security when in reality the person who is moral may be in the most danger of all.

Sunday I mispronounced a word in a satellite verse I referred to in 2 Peter 2.22. The mis-pronouncement allows me the opportunity to speak more to this verse. Peter was referring back to Proverbs to explain what false prophets do. It is exactly what Jesus was referring to as well in Matthew 12. Peter says about these who are self-willed that their last state has become worse for them than the first (2.20). They have heard the truth, but rejected it and therefore they are dogs who have vomited and returned to their own vomit to eat it. They return to the very corruption that is within them. Not only that but they are a sow, meaning a female pig, who returns to filth after somewhat of a cleaning.

The reality is morality kills. The gospel saves us from morality. So as Dr. John Piper says, smite morality with gospel joy.

As I have been walking and running in the morning this week I have been keenly aware of the weeds overtaking yards in my neighborhood. In fact, the other morning I saw weeds that have risen to two feet if not three. For most the weeds have snuck up on us and spread rapidly.

So, what do we do? We can ignore them. If this is the route we take we will have a yard full of weeds and any chances of grass making it will be slim. We can use something to get rid of them like a spray or granule. The hope is it kills them. You could also get out there and dig them up. This is hard work. The bigger the weeds get the bigger holes they leave. Whatever plan you make to get rid of the weeds you must be intentional.  I have heard even some say that the answer is to feed your yard with fertilizer and water causing the root of the grass to be stronger and greater.

This reminds me of the parable of Jesus that we looked at this past Sunday in Matthew 13. The parable gives us four varied responses to the message of the kingdom of God. The first three are those who never repent and do not have a genuine relationship with Jesus. The last response is of those who have the truth of God revealed to them and they repent and believe in the gospel.

Look at Matthew 13.22, which is above. I believe this verse is ever-so applicable for our day. We must be on guard and diligently care for our hearts. Jesus said that there are weeds that can choke the truth of God out of our lives. I believe this can happen to believers who read, hear or study the word of God. We hear the word, but never apply it and have it choked out of our life by the things of this world. For many it is what we do with money. It can have a strangle on our life without us even knowing it. For others it is things such as the pursuit of career accomplishments, busyness and over commitment. For others it is impure habits. All of these weeds might seem small and insignificant when in reality they are robbing us of living passionately for Jesus and His kingdom. The reality is if the weeds are not uprooted from our life and killed we will miss out on a fruitful life and who knows we may not truly be saved.  They may be small now and thought to be not a big deal. If you wait they will eventually grow bigger. If you decide to uproot them at this point the hole they will leave in your life will be big. Who knows what the consequences could be?

The reality is weeds will seek to sprout up and take over our lives. We must feed our hearts with the word of God, consistent prayer and community with believers.  We must have a war time faith knowing that we are in a battle. The battle is not merely over a green yard or a weed infested yard, but instead the souls of man.